Zillah Bell Contemporary Art

You'll find this contemporary art space tucked away near Thirsk, and it's the sort of place that rewards curiosity. Zillah Bell shows work from emerging and established artists across painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media - the kind of gallery that doesn't repeat itself season to season. Walking through, you get a genuine sense that someone's actually curating rather than just filling walls.

It's best suited to people who actively enjoy art rather than those looking for a rainy-day tick-box activity. Serious collectors come here, but so do locals with a casual interest, and the atmosphere stays relaxed either way. Allow an hour or so, though you could easily spend longer if a particular exhibition grabs you.

The gallery works well as a cultural breather if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks. Woodland Lakes Lodges is only a couple of miles away, and Hillside Caravan Park, which punches above its weight at 4.6 stars, is roughly four miles off. Both are proper relaxation bases - the kind where you'd want a proper walk or a gallery visit to break up the general pottering about.

Admission details aren't readily available online, so ring ahead or check their website before setting out from your lodge. Thirsk itself is worth half a day if you're in the area - market town feel, decent pubs, and it's where James Herriot practised as a vet.